Tottenham strike Holtby deal

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby during the January transfer window, rather than at the end of the season as had initially been agreed.

Holtby, 22, signed a five-year contract at White Hart Lane earlier in the month and was set to leave the Royal Blues on a free transfer in the summer.

However, with Spurs midfielder Sandro now ruled out for the rest of the season, the English club sought to push through a new agreement with the Bundesliga side.

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt turned down their first two offers for the Germany Under-21 captain, calling them "unacceptable". The Royal Blues had asked for €2 million, with Spurs' second offer believed to be around €1.5 million.

On Sunday, WAZ reported that Tottenham stepped up their efforts to secure the services of Holtby in January and they have confirmed the deal has gone through.

"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Schalke for the immediate transfer of Lewis Holtby," read a statement on Tottenham's official website.